SpekCalc X-ray Spectrum Generator Programme

Making the discoveries that defeat cancer

Home »
Research »
Research Divisions »
Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging »
SpekCalc X-ray Spectrum Generator Programme

Research

SpekCalc X-ray Spectrum Generator Programme

SpekCalc is an executable for calculating the x-ray emission spectra from tungsten anodes, such as those used in diagnostic radiology and kV radiotherapy x-ray tubes.

The theoretical approach was developed by Gavin Poludniowski and Phil Evans at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK. It is described in two papers published in the journal Medical Physics.

The Graphical User Interface for SpekCalc, now in Version 1.1, was developed by Francois Deblois, Guillaume Landry and Frank Verhaegen in association with McGill University, Montreal, Canada and the Maastro Clinic, Maastricht, the Netherlands.

Software support is, unfortunately, not provided. Inquiries, regarding the theoretical model, may be directed to Gavin Poludniowski with hope of reply. For inquiries regarding the GUI software, contact Francois Deblois or Guillaume Landry.

About SpekCalc

The following article (Phys. Med. Biol. 54 N433-N438, 2009) describes the SpekCalc software: SpekCalc: a program to calculate photon spectra from tungsten anode x-ray tubes

The following two papers (Med. Phys. 34 2164-2186, 2007) describe the underlying model:

Calculation of x-ray spectra emerging from an x-ray tube

Part I. Electron penetration characteristics in x-ray targets

Part II. X-ray production and filtration in x-ray targets

Details

Calculation of x-ray tube spectra for tungsten anodes (40-300 kVp)
Applications in both diagnostic radiology and kV radiotherapy
The User inputs values for kVp, filtration and take-off angle
Photon fluence spectrum calculated at the click of a button
Results presented for user-supplied width of energy bin
Filtration in mm can be applied for for 8 materials (air, Be, Al, Cu, Sn, W, Ta, water)
1st and 2nd HVLs for the spectrum are presented in mm Al and Cu
The mean energy of the beam is provided in keV
Bremsstrahlung and characteristic contributions to the output are estimated
The spectrum the User calculates can be saved for later use

Download Form

Please fill in the following details. The fields marked with * are mandatory.

* First Name :
* Surname :
* Your email :
* Country :
Usage :	Please tell us briefly what you intend to use the data for
* I understand The Institute of Cancer Research will not disclose this information to any other person or organisation except to the authors of SpekCalc. The executable designated "SpekCalc" is made available free of charge to the "User" as a purely research tool. As such, there is no warranty of any kind, express or implied. As a research tool, SpekCalc should not be used in calculations for or affecting patients, or be used in any capacity such that it affects the calibration of equipment to be used on patients. The responsibility for any risk incurred in the use of SpekCalc lies with the User. Neither the authors nor any associated persons, organisations, or institutions, accept any responsibility for the predictions of SpekCalc or for their accuracy. Further, SpekCalc is made freely available under the understanding that it will not be used for commercial purposes or in any commercial product.

In the SpekCalc X-ray Spectrum Generator Programme

Last updated: 13 August 2012